2008 CHRISTMAS IN JULY STUNNING STANTHORPEZ CAR RUN 26/27th JULY

This year’s Christmas in July run will see us return to the beautiful Stanthorpe region. The run will take in some of Southeast Queensland’s Best Scenery, Great Roads, Fabulous Wine and Delicious Food in a two-day tour of the Granite Belt and South-East Queensland in our Zed Cars and other and Hired Minibuses.

CiJ has become the largest run in the club calendar and has grown from a small group of 6 Zed’s and 14 people back in 2004 to15 Zed’s, 2 Prince Skyline’s and 48 people in 2007. This years CiJ should beat all previous years in fun and numbers, so please book quickly as this event usually becomes over booked.
Please book accommodation ASAP with Dave by the 29th of April 2008

Saturday Morning
We will meet at the Goodna McDonalds from 6.45 am UBD REF Map 216 Ref L 13
For the usual paper work and for that all important morning coffee for a 7.15 am sharp departure. We will travel up the highway to Warwick (160km) for a refuel pit stop at the Shell where V power is available or the BP were Ultimate is available, then on to Stanthorpe (62kms) where you will be able to leave you cars at your hotel and in most cases book into your rooms We will all meet at the rear of the O’Mara’s Hotel at 10.45 am and be picked up and taken on an minibus tour for the rest of the day to of some of the fabulous wineries in the district.

The Tour
The tour will consist of visiting a number of wineries and sampling their finest wines.
Lunch will be at the Hidden Creek Winery and set course of a Hearty Beef Lasagna with salad, desert and tea and coffee (of the instant variety) with brewed coffee available at an extra cost, a vegetarian meal option is available but must be pre-arranged with Dave.

The mini buses are a couple of the local School buses, which have been upgraded since our last visit. Instead of forking out $60.00 per head for a half-day tour with lunch with one of the local tour operators, we get the tour and lunch for only $30.00 per person. We can carry only 50 people so please book quickly.

Accommodation
Christmas in July in Stanthorpe is very popular in fact it is the busiest time of the year for the local wineries and motels.
With this in mind I have already booked up the pub and 2 of the local motels. But to hold the booking we have to pay for our rooms now

O’Mara’s Hotel has 8 budget rooms which are $30 for a single room or $50.00 for a Twin or Double and have the usual shared amenities.
The Boulevard Motel is a 3 star rated hotel which has 14 Double rooms available for $85.00 and a Family Room $100
The Apple and Grape Motel is a 3 ½ star rated hotel which has 12 Double rooms available for $92.50 a room and a Family Room for $110.00
The rooms are a little dearer than past years when we have traveled to the Bunyas but at least you will have a room to yourselves.
Please book directly with Dave

Saturday Night
The Saturday Night Party, Dinner Etc will be at the O’Mara’s Hotel again, which is situated in the heart of Stanthorpe were we will once again be having a Christmas Feast, Party which now has become quite legendary and of course the draw of the huge CiJ Raffle

O’Mara’s Hotel, has very cozy dining room with that all-important fireplace and the even more important bar, which for those game or insane serves great cocktails after dinner, as I found out on the recent reconnaissance trip for the weekend

The Dinner will consist of hot nibbles to start and a main meal of Roasts and Veggies with desert and tea and coffee to finish all for $20.00 of course a vegetarian alternative will be available but please let Dave know

The Coffee provided will be of the instant type but brewed coffee is available for extra cost.

Sunday Morning
This will be at your own leisure but I have informed the local RSL, which opens at 8.30am that most of us will be going there for Breakfast which is a buffet and costs $12.00. For those who went to the RSL last time considered it a huge meal and great value. We will be departing from the RSL at 9.45am (We will not be stopping at Warwick for a fuel stop so please ensure cars are fueled for the 260 km trip home)

Sunday Lunch
We will Depart Stanthorpe at 10.15am heading back towards Warwick (60km) then driving towards Brisbane (200kms) via Killarney and up past Queen Mary Falls and on to Spring Creek Mountain Café for lunch at 11.45 pm at Carr’s Lookout which I think is one of the most beautiful spots on the planet with an incredible view and great food.

The gourmet food ranges from $13.00 for entrees and about $27.00 for mains and hearty snacks for under $20.00. There is also a children’s menu available. A menu will be sent out to all those attending the weekend. Lunches will need to be pre-booked as we are such a large group. Menus will be sent shortly to those attending

After lunch we will be driving on some fabulous and good quality backcountry roads thought Tivot Gap and Boonah and returning to Brisbane at about 3.00 pm.
We should be traveling about 450 kms over the weekend this will be a great weekend to have your Zed out and about. Don’t miss this one, as this it planned to be a hell of a lot of fun, and great
driving weekend away, and the odd bottle of wine being consumed, along with some fine food, cocktails and conversation.

Procession of Cars
Due to the probable high number of participants a casual cruise arrangement will be in place. Enough information has been provided to for participants to work out which way we will be going and at what time we should be at certain destinations. Vehicles will not be traveling in a convoy fashion, so if unsure please ensure you have your own maps of the areas we will be traveling.

Things to do and bring
 Book and Pay for Accommodation, Bus trip and Saturday Lunch ASAP this must be done by 29th of April
 Warm clothing
 2 Ways Radios (Channel 14 or 17)
 Someone warm to cuddle up to
 A thirst for wine and great food
 Have the heater fixed in the Zed
 Snow gear, carrot, top hat, etc. It Snowed in Stanthorpe the weekend before we went up there last time
 Gloves, Beanie
 This letter as no other directions will be handed out
 RACQ Gold Coast/Northern Rivers Map free to RACQ Ultra members
 Please bring minor spares parts if you have some as you never know when or who might need some help
 Zed car or other with some kind of Christmas decoration

Contact details
Dave Robertson
Mobile 0417 649 622
E-mail d1770@tpg.com.au

Terms and Conditions
If you order meals and are not able to attend the run you will be expected to pay for the meals, if you do not inform me 72hrs before the run in person, as the club will have to cover for you on the day. If you have to cancel your weekend away every effort will be made to try and fill your accommodation, bus and meal booking but no refund will be available if it cannot be filled

All Participants must adhere to all Queensland Transport Road Rules and Regulations and Vehicles must be registered and be in Roadworthy Condition and Drivers hold a Valid Current Drivers License
The Z Car Club Queensland Inc. accepts no responsibility or liability for Damage, Injury or Death to any person, property or thing, which may be caused by any person/passenger, vehicle, or thing whilst participating on this Run.

Z Car Club of Queensland reserves the right to alter the date or itinerary of this event at anytime
The Z Car Club of Queensland Inc Promotes Safe Responsible Driving and Expects Safe Responsible Driving